AI stroke software introduced to Worcestershire hospitals set to help tackle rise in number of patients
The Stroke Association say cases could go up by 51% by 2035
The Stroke Association has warned the number of stroke cases could go up by more than half by 2035.
Research carried out by the group has found that the number of new strokes will increase by 51% from 100,000 to 151,000 over the next 10 years, costing over £75 billion – roughly half the current NHS budget.
Their Associate Director for the Midlands, Sarah Adderley, says it's important we take action now.
"Stroke is the fourth largest killer in the UK, but it doesn't get the priority that it needs," she said.
"It impacts so many people's lives, there are 1.3 million people affected by stroke living in the UK right now.
"The impact will be huge, the cost of stroke is around £43 billion to the UK economy, and if our predictions are correct and we see that increase by 2035 that cost will be £75 billion."
An Artificial intelligence system has been introduced at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which will help save the lives of stroke patients and create advanced stroke care.
The RapidAI software analyses brain images to help decide whether a patient needs an operation or medication to remove a blood clot.
Sarah says this is a step in the right direction in trying to tackle the predicted rise in cases, but it won't solve the problem fully.
She said: "This system enables consultants and clinicians in the region to speak to people in Birmingham, so if they think that it's appropriate for people to be transferred, then they can get them there as quickly as possible.
"We always talk about the fact that millions of brain cells die every minute when you've had a stroke, so the sooner we can get people into the theatre to have that treatment, the better, and this really helps with that.
"As a thing on it's own, it can't transform the entire system though, as it still needs people there to look at the scans, and the ability to get them to the hospital, so it doesn't mean that everything is sorted once you've got AI."
The Stroke Association is calling for better approaches to prevention, treatment and recovery from stroke, with currently one in four strokes happen to people of working age.